"It's Rocket Science!" Royal Institution Educational Video

Hi all,

Someone posted this to the NAR Facebook group last night. It is an exceptionally well done introduction to the basic chemistry and physics of propellant and rockets presented by Chris Bishop at the Royal Institution in the UK. I had many "oh, I get it now" moments watching this.

The explanation of rocket stability and CG/CP is absolutely excellent. If you don't have time to watch the entire 58 minutes, at least watch the CG/CP part. It's at 23:30 and ends at 34:00.

[video=youtube;HESOat2iPzU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HESOat2iPzU[/video]

Awesome video, lots of good information, AND large and loud demonstrations

The RI Science Week / Christmas presentations are all awesome, some of my favorites:

[video=youtube;zPqEEZa2Gis]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPqEEZa2Gis[/video]
[video=youtube;ti_E2ZKZpC4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_E2ZKZpC4[/video]

I started it and just had to watch the whole thing. Very very well done!

Anyone know what the larger model - the red/yellow one in the picture - is? The smaller purple/yellow one is an Estes Eliminator.

BEC said:

I started it and just had to watch the whole thing. Very very well done!

Anyone know what the larger model - the red/yellow one in the picture - is? The smaller purple/yellow one is an Estes Eliminator.

Click to expand...

I think it's custom. I sure would like to know about the nozzle, that's what makes me think it's custom. But I bet one of our UK guys know it.

Excellent, just what the children needed. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it Thanks for posting the link.

One cute point in the video is when he is discussing high power rockets and holds up a sizable motor then somewhat wistfully remarks that this is about the largest they can go in the U.K. whereas over in the States with their huge deserts they can go much larger.

MichaelRapp said:

One cute point in the video is when he is discussing high power rockets and holds up a sizable motor then somewhat wistfully remarks that this is about the largest they can go in the U.K. whereas over in the States with their huge deserts they can go much larger.

Click to expand...

Yeah, we can have guns here too. And monster pick-ups.

Edit: Having said that, those exploding sky rocket fireworks he showed are, I believe, illegal in every state in the Union. However, they (as well as firecrackers) are available on all English high streets in early November (Guy Fawkes Day). The English seem so risk averse in some matters, and yet so relaxed about other issues (such as fireworks and terrorism) that send Americans into a panic.

That demonstration of CP and CG was great, much better than the explanation in Stines.